Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

6 Motion Picture Daily Friday, February 18, 1955 Reviews "Doctor in the House" (J. Arthur Rank — Republic Pictures) "DOCTOR IN THE H0USE" is a light-hearted story of British medical students, their scholastic, romantic and professional experiences, tastefully produced by Betty E. Box, capably directed by Ralph Thomas, and played with relish by a very capable cast, some of whom will be new to American audiences and should make a very favorable first impression. The picture is in color by Technicolor and is based on Dr. Richard Gordon's novel of the same name, which was a best-seller in Britain. Nicholas Phipps wrote the screenplay and "Dr. in the House" is reputed to have been the best-grossing picture at the British boxoffice last year. It will have its amusing moments for American audiences but is likely to impress them primarily as drollery of an inconsequential variety enacted by some very likeable players. Dirk Bogarde, on entering medical school in London, is taken under the wings of a trio of students who appear more intent on amusing themselves than learning a profession. The story follows them in and out of classes and clinics, in pursuit of nurses and other females, into escapades that bring them closer to expulsion than to degrees of medicine and surgery. The trio is played by Kenneth More, Donald Sinden and Donald Houston. Muriel Pavlow is the nurse with whom Bogarde eventually gets serious and to whom at the fadeout he apparently is planning to devote his soberer adult life, apart from the profession. Others in the cast are Kay Kendall, as a model dated by Bogarde ; Suzanne Cloutier as the girl friend of More ; James Robertson Justice as a famous surgeon, and Geoffrey Keen, as dean of the medical school. All give exceptionally smooth performances. Scenes in the classrooms and wards of the school and hospital, early duties of the students as internes and on calls add interest to the film. It is well produced and appears destined for a better reception here than many films which have preceded it over the Atlantic. Running time, 88 minutes. Adult classification. Release, in March. SHERWIN KANE "New York Confidential" (Warner Brothers-Edward Small) Hollywood, Feb. 17 EDWARD SMALL's production is filled with gangster lore, exploiting the documented code under which a major crime syndicate functions. It calls attention to its power in perpetrating political corruption through the lobbyist system in the nation's capital ; and the thrill seekers won't be disappointed by the suspenseful treatment drawn on its inevitable design for murder. But more than this, the Clarence Greene and Russell Rouse original screenplay, whose title bears the punch suggested by Jack Lait's and Lee Mortimer's best selling book of the same name, unfolds as an intriguing observation on the human and emotional side seldom accorded unruly characters. In attempting the unusual, as indicated through previous credits, the writing team of Greene and Rouse, who are also accredited as producer and director, respectively, has developed a smooth, reserved, polished type killer, skilfully enacted by Richard Conte. As a counter-balance to Conte's character, Broderick Crawford registers strongly as the brash exponent of syndicate leadership, who discovers too late in his crime career that he could die by the code he helped institute. Marilyn Maxwell and J. Carrol Naish are cast effectively in their respective roles as Crawford's two-timing "moll" and business associate, with Anne Bancroft attractively competent as Crawford's grownup daughter. Miss Bancroft's refusal to accept Conte's advice, for people like themselves whose parents preferred the spoils of crime, to take all they could get out of life by hook or crook; and his refusal to accept her proposal for his love after finding she could not hide her identity in making a life of her own, which drives her to suicide, provides the emotional impetus of the film. The story deals with Crawford's acquiring killer Conte from the syndicate's Chicago leader as a "new face" to deal with some New York mobsters who got out of line and stirred the crime commission into action. Crawford likes Conte's style and assigns him to keep the mobsters in line. The syndicate is' double-crossed on a fabulous oil deal with a foreign country by one of its paid lobbyists, and they vote that a "hit" must be made. Crawford makes the mistake of appointing three lesser-lites who botch the job of rubbing out the five percenter, and Conte is delegated to use his silencer on the "unholy three." He disposes of two but Mike Mazurki reaches the police in time to do some singing. When Crawford is implicated and his lawyer makes a deal with the district attorney's office, in exchange for a mob expose by his client, the syndicate votes a "hit" for the New York leader and Conte is committed to fill the job. He takes care of his boss in the expected fashion, but pays with his own life in an act of retribution by a Brooklyn operator. Running time, 87 minutes. Adult classification. Release in February. SAMUEL D. BERNS Censorship Bill for Minors in Ohio COLUMBUS, O., Feb. 17.— Censorship of films to be shown to persons under 21 years is provided in a bill introduced by Rep. Louis J. Schneider, Jr. Fee of $3 is provided for each 1,000feet reel. The bill uses same language as the defunct Ohio censor law in saying "only such films as are in the judgment and discretion of the Dept. of Education of a moral, educational, amusing or harmless character shall be passed and approved." 'War-Peace' (Continued from page 1) M-G-M's 70mm. Grandeur process, said that shooting with the cast will start in mid-June or early July in Italy with some filming to be also done in Yugoslavia, Finland and Spain. "War and Peace" will cost close to $4,500,000, Vidor said. The film, which will be made in VistaVision and Technicolor and will run about four hours, would cost close to $10,000,000 if made in this country, the veteran director said. The Vidor-deLaurentiis co-production is one of a group of four American film production companies which have announced plans to produce "War and Peace'-' and, according to Vidor, will be the first to be ready for exhibition. Other U. S. film makers who have intentions of making "War and Peace" are David O. Selznick, the Columbia Broadcasting System, and Michael Todd, who announced plans to make the property in the Todd-AO process. Music by Stravinsky In answer to questions about the leading characters, Vidor said negotiations were currently taking place with Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons. Igor Stravinsky will compose the musical score and Franz Bachelen, who is accompanying the director to Europe, will be art director, Vidor revealed. Commenting on the foreign and domestic distribution rights to "War and Peace," Vidor said that there will be an announcement within 24 hours, although it is expected that Paramount Pictures will participate in both filming and distribution. Ralph Serpe, I.F.E. Releasing Corp. representative here for Ponti deLaurentiis, concurred with Vidor in the distribution announcement of "War and Peace" domestically, but added that the Alabla Company in Yugoslavia will have the Balkans distribution of the picture in Europe. Following the completion of "War and Peace," Vidor said he hopes to make "Marble Form" and "Resurrection." His last picture was "The Man Without a Star" for Universal. Salt Lake Heart Award to Edwards SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 17.— David K. Edwards, general manager of Joseph Lawrence theatres which operates in Utah and Idaho, received the annual Heart Award of Variety Club Tent No. 38 of Salt Lake. Presentation was made by Clyde Blasius, heart chairman, and Dick Stafford, chief barker. The honor was accorded for charity activities in association with Variety Tent No. 38, especially concerning help at the state children's hospital at Ft. Douglas. Edwards has been in show business since he started as an usher in Salt Lake more than 25 years ago. He has held all posts in the theatre chain since then. Gould Acquires 'Hamido' Distribution of the Egyptian picture, "Hamido," has been acquired by David Gould, foreign film distributor. Gould will release the picture globally except in Europe, the Near East and Africa. "Hamido" was produced entirely in Egypt by the Dollar Film Co. K-B Invites Public To Attend Opposition WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.— K-B Theatres has inserted display advertising in the local papers here calling attention to an attraction, Paramount's "The Country Girl," which is playing at a competitive showhouse. "K-B Theatres," the ad stated, "although not privileged to be presenting the first run of this excellent picture, urge you to see 'The Country Girl." We are proud to be part of an industry that can produce such brilliant entertainment." Arbitration (Continued from page 1) Owners of America has approved and adopted in principle, said still to be open to dispute are portions dealing with pre-releases, damages and financing. Despite yesterday's inconclusive meeting and the apparent stumbling blocks still prevailing, those close to the negotiations remain optimistic that the disputed points will be resolved. Attending yesterday's meeting were Si Fabian, Mitchell Wolfson, Herman Levy, and Max Cohn, for exhibition, and Al Lichtman, A. Montague, Charles Reagan, and Adolph Schimel for distribution. Albany Variety Club In New Home Aug. 1 ALBANY, Feb. 17.— The Albany Variety Club will move into airconditioned rooms at the SheratonTen Eyck Hotel about Aug. 1. Members at a meeting voted to endorse the selection of a survey committee, headed by former chief barker Jules Perlmutter. The crew had previously approved the choice. It marks a return to the hotel where Tent No. 9 occupied quarters from 1940 to 1945. The present rooms on Clinton Ave., near the Palace Theatre, have been in use five years. Albany Tent to Honor Perlmutter on April 23 ALBANY, Feb. 17.— The Variety Club will honor Jules Perlmutter, chief barker from November, 1952, to November, 1954, at a dinner dance in the Sheraton-Ten Eyck Hotel on Apr. 23. Property Master Lewis A. Sumberg is dinner chairman, assisted by Jack Goldberg, Sylvan Leff, Aaron Winig and Nate Winig. Production Down; 18 Pictures in Work HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 17.— Another decrease in production brought the total number of pictures in work this week down to 18. Three new pictures were started and six were completed. Started were : "Timeslip," Todon Prods. (Allied Artists) ; "The Big Jackpot," (Republic) ; "The Rawhide Years;" Technicolor (Universal-International). Completed were: "Dark Venture," "Las Vegas Shakedown," "Spy Chasers," (Allied Artists) ; "The Girl Rush," VistaVision, Technicolor (Paramount); "All That Heaven Allows," Technicolor (Universal-International) ; "I Died A Thousand Times," (Warner Bros.).